The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has confirmed that his office is aware of the court ruling asking former governors serving in other capacities to refund the pensions paid to them by their states.
Daily Trust reports that Malami confirmed this through his media aide, Umar Jibrilu Gwandu.
“We are currently studying it and we will respond appropriately,” he was quoted as saying in reaction to the court verdict.
The report added that efforts to get some of the affected former governors now serving as senators and ministers to react proved futile as some of them refused to return calls or respond to text messages.
For example, former governor of Benue, Gabriel Suswam, and Sam Egwu of Ebonyi did not respond to calls and text messages.
The report quoted Binta Spikin, an aide to Kano's former governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as saying: “This is a sensitive matter."
Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has described the judgement as ground-breaking.
Kolawole Oluwadare, its deputy director, was quoted as saying it was victory for Nigerians, workers and retirees who have not received their benefits some for many months.
“Justice Oguntoyinbo’s judgement shows the urgent need for state governors in Nigeria to follow the Zamfara example by immediately abolishing the obnoxious pension laws in their states,” he said.
SERAP disclosed this in a tweet on Wednesday, December 3.
